Is media freedom being strangled across Commonwealth countries? That is the subject is a debate next week at Portcullis House in Westminster.

The event, organised by the Commonwealth Journalists Association (UK), why journalists are not better protected and media laws being ignored in many countries around the world.

Journalists are almost daily being reported as arrested, victimised and sometimes killed in countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Zimbabwe. Despite Commonwealth declarations of committments to freedom of expression, the conditions for media are seen as just as bad as many other parts of the world. Can the situation be improved?

These are some of the questions that will be raised by the panel, which includes:
Martin Bell: Former BBC correspondent and former Member of Parliament
Soli Sorabjee: Former Attorney-General of India
Brad Adams: Asia Director, Human Rights Watch
Wilf Mbanga: Editor, Zimbabwean

The event is being hosted by the former BBC executive and CJA chair Rita Payne.

Date: Monday June 29
Location: Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London SW1A 2LW
Time: 6pm – 8pm

The event is free and open to the public. Allow at least 15 minutes to pass through security.